The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-03-30


Mamma, am very hungry. May /
have some tea soon?" whispered Joce-
lyn.
The mother kissed him passionately.
Tears came into my eyes as / remem-
bered my own children and Charley.
Was this death?
Mr.. Hemphill did all he could to
cheer us. "They will find rocket and
we can reach those rocks there on the
beach. 1t is not so rough here as yon-
der. We are lucky" he said.
Lucky thought. Lucky to die
in two minutes or less, when the yacht
begins to break up!
Mr.. Cardewe and his wife were
standing hand in hand, pale but firm.
They had been praying; had prayed
too. The light was dying out. A black
figure was seen upon the beach. If he
could swim out that fifty yards or so he
might bring us some assistance. The
master shook his head.
"There's no swimmer in Dorset as
will do it. It's possible. I've seen
men in the Pacific swim as bad bits, but
there's not ten men in this country
would try it."
The figure came near and stood by
the cliff in place opposite the wreck.
Three men were behind him on a
ledge-holding rope-he intended to
come out then Hurrah
He plunged from a rock into the
deep, seething water, which broke over
his head. He was gonel Mol He re-
appeared beyond the wave; he had
gone through it and was making pro-
gress toward the yacht steadily. We
could not bear to look at him. 1t
seemed as if he must be dashed to
pieces; but he made his way out, and
after terrible struggle under the yachts
bows, was hauled in-bleeding, drip
ping, half naked and with strong line
around his waist.
A cheerl anotherl A scream from
Lady Paddock. The very last person
she expected to see had done this
thrice-gallant feat--Captain Armstrong,
who she had limited was a coward. A
cowardl
There was no time for compliments.
The men ashore had gained the beach
now, and had already attached rope
to the line. The rope was hauled on
board, basket and whip were quickly
attached and the basket travelled across,
deluged at times by the waves, but Sc
curely. The first person to venture
was Mrs. Cardewe. BY general con-
sent she went first, and was landed,
dipping wet, butin safety. Lady Paddock
refused to 60 without her boy; but
Captain Armstrong said: "Trust him
to me. | will answer for his life with
my ownp
She smiled at him and gave him her
hand. He clasped it. She kissed her
child, bidding him remain with Cap
tain Armstrong. Sir Joselyn said never
word. He acquiesced silently and
chung to his preserver tightly. The
went, and was clasped in Charley's
arms. tainted.
Everybody was saved. Captain Arm
strong quilted the wreck last but one
and delivered the child to his mother,
who was waiting-tearless, oblivious OF
the wind and rain and sea-while he
was carried across. And this man, she
had said, was afraid! And ! Well, |
say nothing now. Dry clothes and 6
welcome to the barracks were within
reach; and in couple of hours, after
great kindness from the governor of the
prison and the soldiers, we were enabled
to proceed into Weymouth. That night
the wind was terrible, and the FREELY
was knocked to pieces at high water on
the Chasil bank. On Monday morning
l went down and saw her broken up.
We remained at Weymouth unit
Monday night, and then all returned tc
Cardewe Manor except myself, Cap
tain Armstrong, Lady Paddock and Sin
Jocelyn. The lad could not bear to par
with his friend who had rescued hin
and had told him so many nice stories
81 must go, my boy" the captain
said; 81 am afraid meant am
obliged to 60"
ooh, Captain Armstrong, can you
ever forgive me?" cried Lady Pardock
tearfully. 81 beg your pardon mos
humbly for so misrepresenting YOU"
" My dear Lady Paddock, please say
no more. am really glad that l was
enabled to render you service"
" A service | can never repay" she
said. "Now, Jocelyn, go with Mrs
Farmer" For once the child paused
Then he said:
&C. want Captain Armstrong to sta,
with us always, mamma. We hav,
plenty of money for us all and such
big house. Will you Gomez" he cried
I" am afraid | cannot 90 for long
Jocelyn," said he; "not for always"
&" Why not?" said Lady Paddock
suddenly. Then the blood rushed tt
her face, for she perceived what con
struction might be placed upon he
words. She motioned me to leave tn,
room, and then I went out with ST
Jocelyn until rain came on, when
came back.
CHAPTER III.
Captain Armstrong is going to b'
my new papa" cried Sir Jocelyn tina
evening, as he rushed into my room
a" Is it not splendid? Now he will tel
me plenty of tales. Mamma is glad
too, for she kissed him when he sale
he would stay with us, and she neve
kisses any one but me-"
This was satisfactory Next day
Captain Armstrong and Lady Pardocl
came to the Manor, and drove up in thu
new omnibus alone. l came in cal
with the heir and the luggage, and there
were great rejoicings when the engage
ment was announced at Cardewe Manor
{" So you cared for him all the time
dear?" said Mrs. Cardewe to Lady Par
dock.
81 did," replied the radiant youns